Holder for loose-leaf binders and the like



Oct. 9, 1934.

W. NOTHNAG EL HOLDER FOR LOOSE LEAF BINDERS AND THE LIKE Filed April 11,1933 Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLDER FORLOOSE-LEAF BINDEBS AND THE LIKE many Application April 11, 1933, SerialNo. 665,476 In Germany April 14, 1932 This invention relates to a holderfor looseleaf binder and the like, and particularly of the type forholding loose-leaf sheets, cloth samples, etc., in which a pair ofheaded posts are longi- 55' tudinally engaged with each other. Iheseholders have heretofore consisted for the most part of a screw partadapted to be engaged in a threaded socket part and which required ascrew driver to open them, and were furthermore oblb J'ectionable as thescrews were apt to become loose. Holders having longitudinallybifurcated parts were also employed, but these were such that they wouldnot grip evenly along their entire length, and also would noteffectually reis tain their springiness for any appreciable time.

it is proposed in the present invention to provide a longitudinallysplit spring prong member adapted to be telescopically engaged by asocket member, and it is an object to provide such a an device whichwill be of simple construction, will retain its springiness, and willeffectively secure the loose leaf. sheets, or the like, while at thesame time permitting of easy attachment and separation of the device. Tothis end it is proposed in certain embodiments of the invention to formthe spring member of a piece of flat spring metal bent into tube form,and which has uniform gripping action along its full length, and

also in another embodiment to form the same gm from tubular stock splitlongitudinally.

With the above and other objects in view, an embodiment of the inventionis shown in the accompanying drawing and the embodiment will behereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and theinvention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder showing thearrangement of the holders, according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the prong member.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. i is a view partly in frontelevation and partlyin section of the prong member.

Fig. 5 is a' side elevation of the socket member, Fig. 6 is a verticalsectional view thereof. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing theprong member engaged in the socket member. 5 Fig. 8 is a plan view ofthe flat piece of spring metal from which the prong member is formed.Fig. 9 shows the same curved into cylindrical form. v

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, showing a modification in whichlocking means is provided.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, taken along the line 11l1 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing the prong memberinelevation of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 14 is a front elevation of a further modifled form of prong member.

Fig. 15 is a plan view thereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the holder according to the present embodimentof the invention, consists generally of a prong member and a socketmember, both having a head at one end, and adapted to be telescopicallyengaged so as to bring the heads into contacting relation with the upperand lower surfaces of the loose-leaf binder, or other structure.

The prong member consists of a portion 10 of cylindrical form and whichis formed from a flat piece of spring metal such as shown in Fig. 8, thelower edge of the piece being of angular form so as to provide anangular inserting guide end 11 upon the prong member. The flat piece ofmetal is curved into a cylindrical form as shown in Fig. 9 and a smallflange 12, is bent outwardly from the .base.

A washer 13 is engaged over the prong member against the flange 12, anda concavo-convex head 14 is engaged over the washer and is secured bycurling over the edge of the head as at 15. With this construction aprong member is provided which will yield inwardly and outwardly evenlyalong its entire length and at the same time is so connected to the headas to prevent longitudinal displacement.

The socket member consists of a tube 16 which may have its upper edgeexteriorly beveled,- as at 17, so as to more easily enter theperforations of the loose-leaves. The. inside diameter of the socketmember is slightly less than the outside diameter of the prong member,so that when the latter is engaged in the socket member it will becontracted, and this engagement is such that a relatively tight frictionretaining and gripping action results, the uniform contracting of theprong member permitting grippin contact with the socket member over itsentire surface. The socket member may have a head of any desiredconstruction, but preferably is provided with a head similar to thatshown in connection with the prong member. In this latter case the endof the socket member is flanged outwardly, as at 18, and has a washer 19engaged thereon to which is secured a head 20 having its edge 21 bentover upon the washer.

In the use of the device the same may be extended to any desirabledegree to hold more or less papers between the two heads, and because ofthe very small difference in diameters of the socket and prong membersthere will be no appreciable tendency for the papers engaging the prongmember to shift out of alignment with those engaging the socket member.

In Figs. 10 and 11 I have-illustrated a modification in which the partsmay be locked in several positions of adjustment. At a point oppositethe split the prong member 10 is provided with a longitudinal groove 22pressed therein and at suitable points horizontally arranged grooves 23extend therefrom, these latter preferably extending only partiallyaround the prong member. An inwardly projecting boss 24 is pressed intothe socket member for engagement by the grooves 22 and 23. In connectingthe parts the boss 24 moves longitudinally in the groove 22, and uponturning one part relative to the other the boss will engage one of theslots 23 thus locking the parts against longitudinal movement.

In Figs. 12 and 13 I have shown a modification in which both the socketand prong members areformed of tubular stock and have integral endflanges formed thereon in lieu of the head employed in the embodimentsshown in Figs. 2 to 10. The prong member 24 is formed of tubular metalstock and a laterally extending flange 25 is bent outwardly at one endto constitute a head. The prong member is split longitudianlly at oneside, as at 26, the split extending through the flange 25 as well asalong the tubular part. The end of the prong member is of angular form,as at 27, to facilitate insertion in'the socket member.

The socket member 28 is similarly formed of tubular metal stock and isprovided with a laterally extending flange 29 at one end, the other endbeing exteriorly beveled, as at 30. The tubular stock from which theprong member is formed is of smaller diameter than that of the socketmember, its outside diameter however being slightly greater than theinside diameter of the socket member so that it will be snugly engagedtelescopically therein.

In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown a further modification inswhich theprong member 31 is bent into tubular form from flat spring metal and hasa head forming flange 32 bent outwardly at one end, the other end beingof angular form, as at 33. While any of the other types of socketmembers may be employed therewith I have shown a socket member 34, alsobent into tubular form from sheet metal and having a head forming flange35 bent outwardly at one end, the other end being beveled, as at 36. Inthis case the metal from which the socket member is formed is thickerthan that of the prong member and the vertical meeting edges are broughtclose together, so that upon insertion of the prong the greaterstiffness of the thicker metal will prevent opening of the socket whileat the same time permitting compression of the prong member.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodimentof the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be madetherein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. A fastener for loose leaf binders and the like,comprising a tubular socket member open at one end and having an annularprojecting flange portion at the other, and a prong member adapted to beslidably inserted into said socket member and comprising a springy prongportion having an open seam extending its full length, the insidediameter of said prong portion being uniform throughout its length, theoutside diameter of said prong portion being uniformthroughout itslength and being normally greater than the inside diameter of saidsocket -member, a flange at one end having a radial split incontinuation of said seam permitting contraction of said flange, andsaid seam permitting uniform transverse contraction of said prongportion for its full length, said prong portion being engageable withthe inner surface of said socket member through transverse contraction.

2. A fastener for loose leaf binders and the like, comprising a tubularsocket member open at one end and having an annular projecting flangeportion at the other, and a prong member adapted to be slidably insertedinto said socket member and comprising a springy prong portion having anopen seam extending its full length, the inside diameter of said prongportion being uniform throughout its length, the outside diameter ofsaid prong portion being uniform throughout its length and beingnormally greater than the inside diameter of said socket member, one endof said prong portion being beveled at an angle disposed downwardly fromsaid seam, a flange at the other end having a radial split incontinuation of said seam permitting contraction of said flange, andsaid seam permitting uniform transverse contraction of said prongportion for its full length, said prong portion being engageable withthe inner surface of said socket member through transverse contraction.

WALTER NO'I'H'NAGEL.

